Methods for optimizing friction between a pad and a disc in an optical disc restoration device

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains in general to a latching mechanism for maintaining desired friction levels on an optical disc in an optical disc restoration device. In particular the invention pertains to devices, systems and methods for easily maintaining friction levels between pads and an optical disc in an optical disc restoration device for ease of adjusting friction settings during quality control, repair operation or when optimization settings are being set in an optical disc restoration device by a user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/949,305, entitled, “Latching Mechanisms for Optimizing FrictionsLevels in an Optical Restoration Device, and Systems and MethodsThereof” filed Mar. 7, 2014 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/401,967, entitled “Devices, Methods and Systemsfor Restoring Optical Discs” filed Nov. 18, 2014, which claims benefitof U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/648,675, entitled “Devices,Methods and Systems for Restoring Optical Discs” filed May 18, 2012, theentire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains in general to devices, systems and methods formaintaining optimized friction levels on an optical disc in an opticaldisc restoration device for maximizing disc repair. In particular theinvention pertains to a friction adjustment mechanisms for settingfriction levels between pads in an optical disc restoration device andan optical disc on an optical disc platen, by providing a frictionadjustment mechanism that can simply be accessed by a provider in aquality control measure, a repair operator, or a user, resulting in easeof quality control and repair procedures without requiring disassemblyof a device, and resulting in optimized pressure from the pads onto anoptical disc and improved disc repair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An optical disc restoration device is adapted for restoring, repairingand for polishing the surface of optical discs, namely compact discs(CD's), digital versatile discs (DVD's) and Blu-ray discs. Aconventional optical disc restoration device generally comprises ahousing, a motor mounted in the housing, an operation platen mounted inthe housing and adapted for holding an optical disc, and pads orbuffers, and rotatable by the motor to restore, repair or polish anoptical disc. A top lid may house the pads or buffers, such that whenthe lid is in a closed position, the pads or buffers contact the opticaldisc in a restoration cycle.

Optical disc restoration devices are typically used to restore multipleoptical discs within a short time frame. Wear and tear on an opticaldisc restoration device from multiple uses often effects the restorationcapability of the device, including but not limited to wear and tear onthe pads, depletion and clogging of restoration polishing agents, andimproper alignment, movement of the pads and pressure of the pads on theoptical disc from overall structural stress. The inventors seek toaddress restoration issues that arise in the pressure, the frictionlevels and the shifting of the pads on an optical disc during arestoration cycle, which may be altered as the motor spins and theoverall structure of the device is under stress, thereby resulting inreduced restoration, repair and polishing power of the pads on anoptical disc.

Presently, to optimize friction levels between pads and an optical discin an optical disc restoration device requires significant qualitycontrol measures for fine tuning pressure, friction levels and foroptimizing electric current in new devices, and complex disassembly ofdevices to repair and diagnose malfunctioning devices, includingsignificant readjustment of parts throughout a device, readjustment ofpads, the platen holding an optical disc, the motor and its controls.Other inventions that have been developed have used springs behind thepads and particular pad materials to maintain deformation levels of thepad, none of which result in easy to manage friction adjustmentmechanisms as is apparent with the present invention.

The inventors have thus developed a friction adjustment mechanism thatprovides an adjustment screw easily rotatable by a provider in a qualitycontrol measure, a repair operator, or any user wherein adjusting thescrew in one direction increases the friction between the pads and theoptical disc, and wherein adjusting the screw in another directiondecreases the friction between the pads and the optical disc, such thata provider, repair operator or other user can easily rotate to set andreset friction levels of pads on an optical disc in an optical discrestoration device, at any time. The invention effectively simplifiesquality control procedures, repair procedures for distributors,manufacturers and other users alike, and provides easy to use devicesand methods thereof for providing optimized optical disc restoration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide devices, systems andmethods for optimizing friction levels between pads and an optical discduring an optical disc restoration cycle in an optical disc restorationdevice, for optimizing restoration, repair and polishing of an opticaldisc including but not limited to compact discs (CD's), digitalversatile discs (DVD's), and Blu-ray discs. In this regard, oneembodiment of the present invention may be summarized by the followingfeatures, including but not limited to, an optical disc restorationdevice with an optimized friction adjustment mechanism, including: aplaten for holding an optical disc; a pad for polishing an optical disc;and an adjustment screw, wherein rotation of the adjustment screw in onedirection results in a larger distance between the pads and the opticaldisc and thereby a lower friction between the pads and the optical discand wherein rotation of the adjustment screw in another directionresults in a closer distance between the pads and the optical disc andthereby a higher friction between the pads and the optical disc.

The present embodiment may further include a lock nut for locking afriction adjustment mechanism in place when a desired friction level isobtained.

The present embodiment may also include a top lid for holding the pads,an adjustable slide bracket and a latch hook for holding the top lid ina closed position once a desired or optimized friction level isdetermined and set. The present embodiment may further include a displaywith a measure of friction levels between one or more pads and anoptical disc, such that a user can easily determine when an optimizedfriction level has been achieved, through for instance visual or audiblecues.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Itshould be noted that the language used in the specification has beenprincipally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and maynot have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventivesubject matter.

Definitions

Friction level: is the force resisting the relative motion of solidsurfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against eachother.

Electric current: is a flow of force or electric charge when matter isclose to other electrically charged matter.

Ampere: is the flow of electric charges through a surface at the rate ofone coulomb per second and is the international system of units formeasuring an electric current.

Ammeter: a measuring instrument for measuring electric current.

Platen: a flat or mostly flat plate, especially one that is capable ofreceiving pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference tothe following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an optical disc restoration devicewith the side panels of the device removed to show the features of afriction adjustment mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of steps to optimize friction settings usingthe friction adjustment mechanism in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an optical disc restoration devicewith a friction adjustment mechanism in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of an optical disc restoration device with afriction adjustment mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides devices, systems and methods for optimizing andmaintaining optimized friction settings in an optical disc restorationdevice. In particular the invention pertains to optical disc restorationdevices with a specialized friction adjustment mechanism for optimizingand managing friction between the pads and an optical disc during arestoration cycle, for optimized disc restoration.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an opticaldisc restoration device with a friction adjustment mechanism, isdescribed, including but not limited to: a platen for holding an opticaldisc; at least one pad for polishing an optical disc; and an adjustmentscrew, wherein rotation of the adjustment screw in one direction resultsin a larger distance between the pads and the optical disc and thereby alower friction between the pad and the optical disc during a restorationcycle and wherein rotation of the adjustment screw in another directionresults in a closer distance between the pads and the optical disc andthereby a higher friction between the pads and the optical disc during arestoration cycle. In accordance with this embodiment, the adjustmentscrew provides a device and method that maintains the correct pressureof the pads on the optical disc despite wear and tear on the device fromrepetitive use, which may otherwise alter the alignment, or pressure ofthe pads on the optical disc. The present embodiment provides for easeof quality control measures and repair of an optical disc restorationdevice by a provider, repair operator or a user. For instance when adevice has been sent back to a provider for repair or is sent to arepair service, the present invention allows the provider or repairoperator to easily adjust and reset friction settings between the padsand the optical disc without requiring complex disassembly of thedevice. The present invention may further be provided with instructionssuch that an end-user can easily adjust and optimize friction levelsbetween one or more pads and an optical disc in an optical discrestoration device.

In order to provide an adjustment screw that can simply be accessed, theinventors developed a structural modification to optical discrestoration devices to embody an adjustment screw that could easily beaccessed, and functionally affect the friction of the pads on theoptical disc when the adjustment screw is turned in either direction.FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an optical disc repair device withthe sides and back panel removed for showing the internal structuralmodifications developed by the inventors to provide an adjustment screwin accordance with the present embodiment. In this embodiment theadjustment screw, 100, is shown attached to the adjustable slidebracket, 105, which is further attached to a lock nut 110, for allowinga user to rotate the adjustment screw, 100, and lock a desired frictionlevel in an optical disc restoration device. A hook, 115, is furthershown attached to the adjustable slide bracket 105 such that the pads ona top lid will respond to the friction setting locked in place by theadjustment screw, 100, and the lock nut, 110. In accordance with thisembodiment, the hook 115 holds the top lid of the optical discrestoration device in a closed position. The hook 115 in this embodimentprovides for the physical connection of the pads to the optical disc atthe optimized friction settings secured by the adjustable screw 100. Yetfurther in this embodiment, the pull solenoid 120, the return spring125, and the spring bracket 130 are further shown. In accordance withthis embodiment the pull solenoid 120 unlatches the hook 115 from thetop lid, allowing the device to open and the return spring 125 pulls thehook 115 from the position that the pull solenoid had moved the hook 115to when unlatching the top lid. In accordance with this embodiment,turning of the adjustment screw causes the adjustable slide bracket toslide, thereby also moving the lock nut into a desired position. Whenthe electric current in this embodiment is at 3 ampere, as measured byan ammeter during a quality control test, a repair, or in an automatedmanner for an end-user, the friction settings are at optimized levelsand the lock nut 110 will prevent the adjustment screw 100 fromrotating, thereby securing the desired friction level. In accordancewith this embodiment, the optimized friction level settings of current,friction, pressure and distance of the pads to an optical disc may beeasily set by simply adjusting the screw 100. In yet other embodiments alead screw, gear train, rack and pinions gear systems, cam action andother motorized systems may be used in addition to visual or audiblecues to indicate optimized friction settings between the pads and anoptical disc.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the return spring may bebetween the hook 115 and the spring bracket and allows for theadjustment mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment torestart between restoration cycles by maintaining tension on the hook115. In accordance with this embodiment the spring bracket holdsswitches that run the optical disc restoration cycle operations, andalso holds the other end of the return spring so that the return springcan hold the hook 115 in a desired location.

The hook 115 in accordance with the present embodiment may be placed inthe middle, front, back or center of the optical disc restoration devicein order to hold the pads and the optical disc in an even or balancedmanner for optimizing friction levels between the pads and the opticaldisc. In accordance with this embodiment, the adjustable slide bracketstabilizes, holds, pivots, and adjusts the hook 115.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method foradjusting friction levels in an optical disc restoration device, isdescribed, including but not limited to the steps of: providing anoptical disc restoration device; and, providing an adjustable screw,wherein rotation of the adjustable screw in one direction results inhigher friction between one or more pads and an optical disc during arestoration cycle and wherein rotation of said adjustable screw inanother direction results in lower friction between said one or morepads and said optical disc during a restoration cycle. The presentembodiment may further include the step of providing an automatedfriction level notification when the adjustable screw is rotated. Thepresent embodiment may yet further include the step of providing a latchhook for holding a top lid with the pads onto a disc on a platen, andmaintaining physical contact of the pad to the disc at the desiredfriction levels in accordance with the present invention. The presentembodiment may also include the step of providing a water supply meansfor optimized restoration procedures, an abrasive or polishing solutionsupply means for optimized restoration procedures, fan blades and one ormore exhaust ports in the top lid of the optical disc restoration deviceto help control heat and vapor levels resulting from friction during anoptical disc restoration cycle.

In accordance with another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the followingsteps may be conveniently used to optimize friction between pads and anoptical disc during a repair, quality control or by a user after severalsuccessive uses of the device, in accordance with the presentinvention: 1) load an optical disc onto a disc holder, step 202 2)initiating a disc restoration process, step 204 3) placing one or morepads in contact with said optical disc, step 206 4) rotating theadjustment screw in a direction to increase or decrease the friction ofsaid one or more polishing pads on said optical disc, determining acorrect pressure setting by optimizing current, pressure, and or pad todisc distance, step 208 5) withdrawing one or more polishing pads fromcontact with said optical disc, step 210 6) removing a disc from saiddisc restoration device, step 212. In accordance with this embodiment,the restoration cycle can be repeated in the same order of steps listedabove to ensure the pressure and thereby friction of the pads on theoptical disc during a restoration cycle is optimized to accommodate forwear and tear of the optical disc restoration device from repetitive orsuccessive uses. Further in accordance with the embodiment describedherein, the step of withdrawing the one or more polishing pads fromcontact with the optical disc, step 210, may be manually accomplished bylifting or pulling a handle or like structure to withdraw a top lidhousing the one or more polishing pads, or automatically accomplishedwith an automated lid withdrawing mechanism.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method foroptimizing friction between one or more pads and an optical disc in anoptical disc restoration device, is described, including but not limitedto the steps of providing a platen for holding an optical disc, whereinthe platen is attached to a motor; providing one or more rotatable pads,wherein the pads are in contact with the optical disc during arestoration cycle, and, providing a friction adjustment mechanism,wherein rotation of the friction adjustment mechanism results in higherand lower friction settings between the rotatable pads and the opticaldisc during an optical disc restoration cycle. This embodiment mayfurther include the step of providing an adjustment screw as a frictionadjustment mechanism, wherein rotation of the adjustment screw in onedirection result in a higher friction setting and rotation of the screwin another direction results in a lower friction setting between thepads and the optical disc, such that quality control operators, a repairoperator or a user may maintain friction levels between one or more.

In addition to having an adjustment screw, other means for adjustingfriction levels in an optical disc restoration device may be used,including but not limited to: a motor driven lead screw; a rack andpinion movement such as a rotational to linear gearing mechanism, a cammovement system, a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system, a belt drivensystem, a spring loaded system, a pulley system, a gearing system, andany combination of thereof.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a latching mechanism in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment theadjustment screw, 300, is shown attached to the adjustable slidebracket, 305, which is further attached to the lock nut 310, forallowing a user to rotate the adjustment screw, 300, and lock a desiredfriction level in an optical disc restoration device. Hook, 315, isfurther shown attached to the adjustable slide bracket 305 such that thepads on a top lid will respond to the friction setting locked in placeby the adjustment screw, 300, and the lock nut, 310. Yet further in thisembodiment, the pull solenoid 320, the return spring 325, and the springbracket 330 are further shown. In accordance with this embodiment thepull solenoid 320 unlatches the latch hook from the top lid, allowingthe device to open and the return spring 325 pulls the latch hook fromthe position that the pull solenoid had moved the latch hook to whenunlatching the top lid.

In addition in this embodiment the spring bracket 330 is a stationaryplate which allows for the spring to apply tension on the latch hook topull the latch hook from the position that the pull solenoid had movedthe latch hook to when unlatching the top lid.

FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention showing anadjustable screw 405 in an optical disc restoration device 400. Inaccordance with the figure shown it is apparent that a user can easilyturn the adjustable screw to set preferred friction levels in theoptical disc restoration device, which is easily measured with anammeter in electric current measurements. The adjustable screw allowssimple methods for finalizing device friction requirements in qualitycontrol procedures, and for user's, store owners, distributors and thelike to reset preferred friction levels for optimized optical discrestoration.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the presentinvention and protected by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for optimizing friction levels inan optical disc restoration device, the method comprising the steps of:providing the optical disc restoration device; providing an adjustablescrew, wherein rotation of the adjustable screw in one direction resultsin higher friction between one or more pads in mechanical communicationwith the adjustable screw and an optical disc during a restoration cycleand wherein rotation of said adjustable screw in another directionresults in lower friction between said one or more pads and said opticaldisc during the restoration cycle; providing an automated friction levelnotification when said adjustable screw is rotated; and providing a hookconfigured to hold the one or more pads at a desired friction level whensaid adjustable screw is being rotated.
 2. The method in accordance withclaim 1 further comprising the step of maintaining the friction level ata 3 ampere electric current using a motor.
 3. A method for optimizingfriction between one or more pads and an optical disc in an optical discrestoration device, the method comprising the steps of: providing aplaten for holding the optical disc, wherein said platen is attached toa motor; providing one or more pads, wherein the one or more pads are incontact with said optical disc during a restoration cycle; and,providing a friction adjustment mechanism, wherein rotation of saidfriction adjustment mechanism results in higher and lower frictionlevels between the one or more pads and said optical disc during therestoration cycle; providing an adjustment screw as the frictionadjustment mechanism, wherein rotation of said adjustment screw in onedirection result in a higher friction setting and rotation of said screwin another direction results in a lower friction setting; providing anautomated friction level notification when the adjustable screw isrotated; and providing a hook configured to hold the one or more pads ata desired friction level when said adjustable screw is being rotated. 4.A method for optimizing friction between one or more pads and an opticaldisc in an optical disc restoration device, the method comprising thesteps of: loading the optical disc onto a disc holder; initiating a discrestoration process; placing one or more pads in contact with saidoptical disc; rotating an adjustment screw in a direction to increase ordecrease the friction of said one or more pads on said optical disc,wherein the optical disc restoration device comprises an automatedfriction level notification when the adjustable screw is rotated;holding the one or more pads with a hook configured to hold a the one ormore pads at a desired friction level when the adjustable screw is beingrotated; determining a correct pressure by optimizing pressure betweenthe one or more pads and the optical disc; withdrawing one or more padsfrom contact with said optical disc; and, removing the optical disc fromsaid disc restoration device.